PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL ESTATES (Funds for upgrading of public areas)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Leong Horn Kee asked the Minister for National Development whether his Ministry will consider allocating funds for upgrading of public areas such as parks, roads and footpaths in private residential estates, similar to the proposed plan to upgrade the public housing estates.

The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Dr Lee Boon Yang) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker Sir, the Government maintains all public areas in Singapore including those in the private residential estates. For example, about 500 km of roads and 60 hectares of open spaces in private residential estates which are vested in the State are currently being maintained by the Public Works Department and the Parks and Recreation Department respectively. As part of maintenance, these roads, sidewalks and open spaces are upgraded and improved as and when necessary.

Mr Leong Horn Kee (Thomson): Sir, would the Minister not agree that in Singapore there are, in fact, several very old private residential estates, much older than the HDB estates, which require a fair amount of sprucing up and upgrading. Therefore, should the Government not also consider spending money to upgrade such areas as well since it has a plan to upgrade HDB estates?

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Mr Speaker, Sir, as I have said in my main answer, if there are public facilities which are old and need upgrading in these old private residential estates, my Ministry will certainly look into them and upgrade them in due course.